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Kia

2017 Kia OPTIMA PHEV

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Kia OPTIMA PHEV has 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 37. The most common issue is engine problems (30% of all complaints), specifically: i have 2017 kia plug in i had to replace batteries system twice within a year. i also have a engine knocking at 26000 miles that the dealer claims is a that was cause by service done to oil filter that don't make no sense. no oil light or engine light went off. further more after that happened the e. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports

37

Total Complaints

2

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

11 complaints
30%
  • • I HAVE 2017 KIA PLUG IN I HAD TO REPLACE BATTERIES SYSTEM TWICE WITHIN A YEAR. I ALSO HAVE A ENGINE KNOCKING AT 26000 MILES THAT THE DEALER CLAIMS IS A THAT WAS CAUSE BY SERVICE DONE TO OIL FILTER THAT DON'T MAKE NO SENSE. NO OIL LIGHT OR ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. FURTHER MORE AFTER THAT HAPPENED THE E
  • • GETTING ONTO THE FREEWAY ACCELERATING, WHEN HEARD RATTLING AND SAW SMOKE, EXITED THE FREEWAY AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR LIGHTS THAT CAME ON PRIOR OR DURING THIS TIME. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP IN CITY OF CARSON. I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL ON SATURDAY 1/2/2021
  • • We bought the car used in November of 2020 from Conicelli used Toyota dealership. We had the car not even a year when the engine broke and we got it looked at and found it was a rod knock which there is a recall for this vehicle for the same issue we were having. We had the car towed to kia on the b
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I HAVE 2017 KIA PLUG IN I HAD TO REPLACE BATTERIES SYSTEM TWICE WITHIN A YEAR. I ALSO HAVE A ENGINE KNOCKING AT 26000 MILES THAT THE DEALER CLAIMS IS A THAT WAS CAUSE BY SERVICE DONE TO OIL FILTER THAT DON'T MAKE NO SENSE. NO OIL LIGHT OR ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. FURTHER MORE AFTER THAT HAPPENED THE E”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Kia OPTIMA PHEV

Based on 13 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 64K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
3
30-60K
1
60-100K
5
100-150K
4
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

ENGINE29/10/2021

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.

Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC218.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Kia OPTIMA PHEV

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,607
Full coverage / month
$134
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
-4%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$1607

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Kia OPTIMA PHEV Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
60K mi
Spark plugs
90K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
5 yr / 60K mi
Powertrain
10 yr / 100K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
10 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / 100K mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners

These are the terms for a new Kia. If you're buying a used 2017 OPTIMA PHEV, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Kia dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 37 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ENGINE: I HAVE 2017 KIA PLUG IN I HAD TO REPLACE BATTERIES SYSTEM TWICE WITHIN A YEAR. I ALSO HAVE A ENGINE KNOCKING AT 26000 MILES THAT THE DEALER CLAIMS IS A THAT WAS CAUSE BY SERVICE DONE TO OIL FILTER THAT DON'T MAKE NO SENSE. NO OIL LIGHT OR ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. FURTHER MORE AFTER THAT HAPPENED THE E

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: WHILE DRIVING MY KIA HYBRID A NOTICE CAME UP ON THE DASH BOARD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF MY ENGINE AND I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 75 WHEN I LOST TOTAL POWER AND MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY DEALER. I HAD KNOW ABOUT

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    OTHER: BACKUP CAMERA DOES NOT ACTIVATE ON THE NAVIGATION SCREEN WHEN WE PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN BUT NOT EVERY SINGLE TIME.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V161000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (JIM BONE KIA, 1255

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Kia OPTIMA PHEV — Year Comparison

How does 2017 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2018
12Above Average
2017
37Below Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
37
Recalls
2
Fire reports
2
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
37

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2017 Kia OPTIMA PHEV

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